"Beyond The Canvas": Untitled Designers Conference (UDC) returns this August
Untitled Designers Conference (UDC) 2024, the 3rd edition of one of Africa's biggest design conferences, will take place from Friday, Aug. 23rd to Saturday, Aug. 24th at Queens Park Center, VI, Lagos
In May, Untitled Designers, the organiser of the Untitled Designers Conference (UDC), one of Africa’s biggest design conferences connecting purpose-driven designers together, announced that it is rescheduling this year’s edition of the design conference originally slated to hold in Lagos in May.
Per the announcement, the design conference, originally scheduled for May 24th and 25th, was postponed to Friday 23rd and Saturday, August 24th, 2024. “With unforeseen circumstances and a desire to ensure the event's full potential, we've made the difficult but necessary decision to RESCHEDULE the dates,” the statement read. “By postponing to August 23rd & 24th, we can dedicate the necessary resources to deliver an exceptional ‘Beyond the Canvas’ experience you deserve.”
Read Also: Untitled Designers postpones Untitled Design Conference (UDC) 2024; to now hold in August
Ahead of the conference set to happen this month, it has announced Google as the headline sponsor, and Webflow, a no-code tool for designing, building, and launching powerful websites visually, and FourthCanvas, a global brand design consultancy that partners with good businesses to build great brands, as sponsors for the 2-day design conference.
“I am excited about our partnership with Google through Google Fonts,” Marvis Ighedosa, Co-Founder and Director at Untitled Designers, told The Creatives Note. “During the conference, they [Google] will be sharing about their type design project in Africa and will be hosting a workshop on how to create typefaces as well.”
According to Untitled Designers, the team at FourthCanvas will be hosting a panel session on the topic: “The Business of Design: A dive into how FourthCanvas run and operate.”
With the theme “Beyond the Canvas”, this year’s conference will feature great talks, panel sessions, and workshops by the amazing lineup of new speakers, panelists, and facilitators, Ighedosa noted.
Some of the confirmed speakers include Google’s Dave Crossland (Keynote speaker), Clement Hugbo (Keynote Speaker), Bolutife Awakan, Trust Obajemini, Olusesan Tolulope, Victoria Ottah, Glory Faleke, Sarah Oluwatosin, according to Untitled Designers.
To step ‘Beyond the Canvas’ into a realm where design expands beyond pixels and portfolios, seasoned designers such as Seyi Oniyitan, Seyi Olusanya, Linda Ojo Taiwo, Samuel Jolayemi, David Fayemi, Tito Adegbamigbe, and Osisioni Adigbole will be facilitating workshops on topics ranging from digital design to type design to illustration.
To discuss recruitment and hiring processes, a panel made up of design leads—Tunde Kabir Mason and Adebola Adebola—and HR professionals—Chibuzo Ihentuge-Eric and Emmanuel Faith—will host a panel session on “Application & Interviews: The Art Of Getting Hired,” Untitled Designers has revealed.
Read Also: Seyi Olusanya on getting into type design, founding Afrotype, and collaborating with Google Fonts
We have a lot of amazing activities lined up for this year’s conference, Ighedosa told The Creatives Note. “There’s a lot of changes from last year's conference. For example, we are using a new venue and there’s going to be a gaming arena where attendees can play games and have fun,” he shared.
This year's conference, which is the third edition of the design conference, will take place at Queens Park Center, End of Water Corporation Drive, off Ligali Ayorinde St, Victoria Island, Lagos, from Friday, August 23rd to Saturday, August 24th, Untitled Designers announced.
Companies will be hiring during the conference and we are going to be giving out free merchandise as well, Ighedosa told The Creatives Note. “We will be hosting a ‘Mouse vs Trackpad challenge’ before and during the conference,” he added.
There’s going to be a networking lounge to meet with other creatives and design leaders, Ighedosa noted. “Personally, I am looking forward to meeting and connecting with people,” Ighedosa said.
With a turnout of 1500+ attendees and a roster of speakers such as Fungi Dube, Victor Fa, Omobolanle Banwo Osadole, Tunji Ogunoye, Mary Afolabi, Kelvin Shani, Godwin Olatunde, Dumebi Iwuchukwu gracing it podium in previous editions, this year’s edition is set to have 30+ Speakers and Panelists.
“Whether you are a seasoned designer, an up-and-coming talent, or a business leader looking to stay ahead of the curve, this conference is the perfect place to gain insights, make connections, and learn about the latest trends and best practices in design,” Untitled Designers notes.
Visit untitleddesigners.org/conference to get your ticket now. (Purchase your ticket now to get 20% off).
